"It’s an issue that definitely needs some attention we have so many people that are living on our sidewalks and living in our parks, they have what seems to be an extraordinary amount of things you know baggage and belongings " says Greg Cuadra, McCully-Moiliili Neighborhood Board Chair.
Last year Honolulu city council passed the sidewalk ban for Waikiki and urban Honolulu.
But residents say the law is not being enforced, and that’s why bill 54 is being introduced.
"Basically this bill just provides the mechanism for any personal property that stored in a public area or public space whether it’s a bus or a sidewalk, a street or a park it provides a way for the city to get those items out of the public area," says Tulsi Gabbard, Honolulu City councilwoman.
If passed, bill 54 would allow city employees to post a notice on the personal item found.
The owner of the item would then have 24 hours to remove it, if it’s not moved within that time, it will either be thrown away, stored or become public property.
"It’s about a fairness issue that we have such limited open green spaces such limited public spaces that we want to make sure everyone’s able to access them," says Gabbard.
Residents worry the new bill will get passed like the sidewalk ban but not get enforced.
"It started out a great bill and then they started out saying okay the last two feet of a sidewalk eight feet or wider or this hour to this hour or only in this area," says Cuadra.
Gabbard says the sidewalk ban was difficult to enforce due to the costs involved for proper signage because it was only put into effect for certain areas.
"This will not have that at all because public spaces are public spaces and it will provide a mechanism for department of facilities maintenance to come and clear these public spaces," says Gabbard.
Bill 54 will have its first reading next Wednesday, October 5th at the city council meeting.
See the original article at: KHON2 Developing Stories
